McDowall Childcare & Kindergarten
Kimberley H 1681779832
Cara Chambers 1681177413
Gabrielle Laing 1680604790
Rita C 1676974102
Heart Sessions 1669852078
Sophia Hodges 1659487009
Kev H 1650338637
Christina Ferguson 1638232365
Sian James 1517536168
Nici Morey 1505900747
Lisa Edlond 1409012106
Campus Overview
Only About Children McDowall is a warm and inviting childcare centre, with three dedicated outdoor play areas – including a slide, climbing wall and sandpits – children have plenty of space to explore, create and lead their own play. Our campus also has edible gardens, compost and a worm farm for the children to take care of. Our six age-based indoor spaces are designed to encourage children to learn and grow, at their age and stage of development, in a secure ‘home away from home’ environment.
Families at our McDowall campus enjoy –
- Our age-based indoor spaces are specifically designed to encourage children to learn and grow with a focus on safety and natural elements.
- Getting out into our local community through planned excursions and community activities that build on our educational curriculum and the children’s interests. At Only About Children childcare McDowall, these include trips to our local school and organised shows onsite.
- Passionate educators and allied health specialists who are focused on creating a learning space where families and children can learn and grow together.
- A leading nutrition, health and wellbeing offering which includes a Dietitian designed seasonal menu and fresh meals prepared daily in-house by our campus cooks
- All-inclusive offering including our daily app diary updates, nappies, formula, bedding, sunscreen and more.
Only About Children McDowall, we offer More Than Childcare. Our unique approach to early years learning goes beyond education to encompass the health, social development and wellbeing of every child in our care. We call it The OAC Way.
Our innovative play-based Grow Curriculum gives Nursery, Toddler and Preschool children the best opportunity to develop their growing minds during their early years. It includes:
- Left Brain Logic – Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) and Sustainability
- Right Brain Creativity – Music, Dramatic Play and Art
- Health and Wellbeing – Physical Activity and Nutrition
- Social Development – Trust, Respect & Relationship and Resilience & Mindfulness
Our Grow curriculum is delivered via intentional teaching in dynamic small group learning environments where children’s successes, skills and challenges are monitored on an ongoing basis.
OAC Flexi (occasional care) is available at our McDowall Campus. This option is for families wishing to utilise occasional or back up childcare at short notice. OAC Flexi is available in 2 sessions, full day or part day and is available for children aged 12 weeks – 5 years old.
Where to find us
Our purpose-built single-level Campus is located at 1035 Rode Road, McDowall just across the street from McDowall State School and close to several local parks. With plenty of onsite parking available, families can be confident of a safe and smooth drop off and pick up every visit. A frequent bus service runs through the bus stop less than a minute’s walk down the road.
Interested in learning more? The best place to start is with a tour or call today us on 138 622.
McDowall Nursery (6 weeks – 2 years)
At Only About Children McDowall Nursery, our passionate educators focus on laying a foundation for enduring curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Our McDowall Nursery caters to the care and development needs of infants aged 6 weeks -2 years.
The McDowall Nursery focuses on safe sleep practices developed by qualified Family Health Nurses and Consultants. Our nursery is a safe and stimulating environment that encourages your child to explore and play and implements both structure and a nurturing environment with our exceptional caregiving and play routines.
Our McDowall Nursery Program includes:
- Age 6 weeks -2 years appropriate indoor/outdoor learning environments.
- Sleeping rooms with a focus on positive sleep practices.
- Dietitian designed baby menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Baby essentials such as nappies, cots, linen, and sunscreen.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
For more information, download the Only About Children Nursery Room Guide
McDowall Toddlers (2-3 years)
Our Only About Children McDowall campus is focused on giving your child a calm and welcoming environment that balances play, exploration, and learning. Our Toddler rooms are led by passionate educators who create play-based learning activities designed to provide toddler-aged children with nurturing experiences that encourage growth and development.
Our Toddler rooms are safe, supportive spaces that facilitate creative exploration. Each space is expertly designed to encourage younger children to explore, solve problems, create, construct and interact with peers.
Our McDowall Toddler program includes:
- Age 2-3 years of appropriate learning and playing environments.
- Balanced structured and unstructured play-based learning – Grow curriculum
- Small group learning activities.
- Dietitian designed menus with all meals and snacks included.
- Calm sleeping and resting rooms.
For more information, download the Only About Children Toddler Room Guide
McDowall Kindergarten (3-5 years)
Only About Children McDowall Kindergarten is focused on creating quality experiences that place your child in the best position to begin school. Our nurturing kindergarten educators give special emphasis on building school-ready skills, such as Literacy & Language, Exploration & STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math), Sustainability, Music, Dramatic Play and Art. We aim to make your child’s transition to school as smooth as possible by providing balanced, small group learning activities that build independence and resilience along with academic skills.
Our team of highly-skilled educators and health specialists work together to create an integrated journey that enhances your child’s learning and development. Individual learning plans are created to empower each child with skills that will help them reach their full academic and social potential.
McDowall Kindergarten program
- Provides an innovative curriculum focused on left brain logic and right brain creativity
- Includes both structured and unstructured play-based learning that considers the child’s individual interests and development
- Provides an ‘Individual Learning and Development Plan’ for every child with 6 monthly check-ins with families
- A learning focus from 9am to 3pm to prepare children for typical school hours and routine whilst providing the flexibility of long hours for social development and play
- Is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the National Quality Standard (NQS) for childcare.
- Includes Health and Social Development support in preparation for school, including complementary Vision Screening
For more information, download the Only About Children Kindergarten Room Guide
Helpful Info
McDowall Campus Educators
Michelle Watson
Campus Director
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
Michelle Watson
Campus Director
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
Childcare Subsidy
For more information, visit our Childcare Subsidy Information (CCS)
Our Learning Spaces
Contact Us
- Open hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am – 6:30pm
- Phone: 07 3353 5555
- 1035 Rode Road, Mcdowall, QLD 4053
Under these standards, childcare services are assessed and rated against the seven quality areas, 18 standards, and 58 elements that make up the NQS. Click here to find out more about the NQS quality areas, standards, and elements.
Meet our Campus Director
Michelle Watson
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
Michelle Watson
Campus Director
At Only About Children McDowall, we create a sense of belonging for the children, families and Educators in our campus community. We maintain respectful, positive and friendly relationships and value honest and open communication to support every child’s development and learning.
Here’s what our families have to say
Kimberley H 1681779832
Cara Chambers 1681177413
Gabrielle Laing 1680604790
Rita C 1676974102
Heart Sessions 1669852078
Sophia Hodges 1659487009
Kev H 1650338637
Christina Ferguson 1638232365
Sian James 1517536168
Nici Morey 1505900747
Lisa Edlond 1409012106
